Compaq Deskpro 386

1986–1988 · desktop

Specifications

Cpu: Intel 80386, 16 MHz
Gpu: None integrated; video via add-in ISA card (CGA, EGA, or MDA)
Ram: max: 14 MB via proprietary 32-bit memory expansion boards · base: 1 MB
Ports: Parallel · Serial · Keyboard (DIN) · Expansion slots x8 (ISA, one 32-bit proprietary memory slot)
Display: MDA/CGA/EGA supported via add-in card, no integrated video
Storage: base: 1.2 MB 5.25" floppy drive, no hard drive standard · options: 40 MB hard drive · 70 MB hard drive
Os Support: latest: MS-DOS 6.22 / early Windows 3.x (unofficial, community-tested) · shipped: MS-DOS 3.1
Release Price: $6,499 (base configuration)

Variants

Revisions

Deskpro 386/16386/161986, original 16MHz 80386 model

Deskpro 386/20386/201987, 20MHz 80386

Deskpro 386/25386/251988, 25MHz 80386

Deskpro 386s386S · 386s/201988, lower cost 386SX chip, updated form factor

Deskpro 386s/20N386s/20N · 386Nlate model, thinner network-focused case, 386SX

Storage

40MB1986, Deskpro 386 Model 40

70MB1986, Deskpro 386 Model 70

130MB1986, Deskpro 386 Model 130, extra ISA slots

Upgrade paths

RAM

14 MB via Compaq's proprietary 32-bit memory expansion board in the dedicated slot · Standard ISA slots were 16-bit and couldn't address the 386's full 32-bit bus, so Compaq designed a dedicated 32-bit slot just for memory expansion.

~$1,500 for a fully populated expansion board at the time

MODERATE

storage

70 MB hard drive plus the 1.2 MB floppy, or third-party MFM/RLL drives via the ISA controller · No hard drive was standard on entry units; most buyers added one immediately given the machine's role as a workstation and server.

~$1,000 for a period 70 MB drive kit

MODERATE

CPU

Locked to the socketed 80386 (16 or 20 MHz depending on model) · The 386 was socketed rather than soldered, so hobbyists have swapped in higher-clocked 386 parts, but no official Compaq upgrade path existed.

HARD

display

EGA or early VGA-compatible card via ISA · No video was built in, so display capability was entirely a function of the add-in card fitted.

~$300-$600 for a period EGA/VGA card

EASY